Most sensitive bionic nose

In September 2015, scientists from the Seoul National University, South Korea, published results of the first bionic nose to use laboratory-grown human nasal (olfactory) smell receptors. These receptor cells are attached to a carbon nanotube transistor that switches on or off in the presence of an odour detected by the human cells. The present application is to provide compact, low-cost detection of harmful bacteria in water samples by the "smell" they emit. To enhance this effect, two specific types of receptors were chosen because of their ability to detect common bacteria-produced molecules. These are the musty smelling geosmin (GSM) and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB). The bionic nose can detect these compounds even when they are mixed with a variety of other smells, and in concentrations as low as 10 nanograms per litre (34 oz) of water, an impossible task for the "standard" human nose. If we consider that the human nose has around 400 different types of smell receptors, then this technology could be used to produce "super noses" capable of detecting drugs and other harmful substances as well as perfecting perfumes and wines.

Ultimately, this technology could be used with neural interfaces to offer new smell sense to patients with nasal trauma.

This is early-stage technology, but the sensor itself works and is producing fantastic results.